Framework apparatus and method for fabricating same



D. M. GATCH May 21, 1968 FRAMEWORK APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING SAME Filed Aug. 9, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. DAVID M. GATCH 1A/wf ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,383,821 FRAMEWORK APPARATUS AND lviETHOiD FR FABRICATING SAME David M. Gatch, 2461 E. Gage Ave., Huntington Park, Calif. 90255 Filed Aug. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 478,112 9 Claims. (Cl. 52-648) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLGSURE Framework apparatus of components adapted to be assembled without tools wherein a plurality of vertical posts of preferably hollow cruciform configuration have vertically diminishing apertures spaced vertically along the inner corners of the vertical posts. Horizontal beams or wall members have abutting end surfaces with protruding dogs such that the dogs fit into the sloping apertures and contact the reverse sides of the cruciforrn wall while the horizontal component abutting surfaces are drawn into Contact with the obverse side of the wall and the outer surface of the adjoining wall defining the inside corner.

Many frameworks for hand assembly without tools have previously been conceived and utilized. However, most of the frameworks, such as those used for storage racks and oflice or industrial space partitioning, have required a great number of component members for stability and consequently lack flexibility and facility in assembling into desired patterns. I have invented a framework for structures such as shelters, buildings, partitions and storage racks which requires a minimum of components, little set-up time and has rigidity equal to or greater than the conventional structure of its type without the necessity of diagonal crossbraces or other additional com ponents.

The invention contemplates framework apparatus that comp-rises a plurality of vertical posts and horizontal beams. Each post has a plurality of pairs of vertical support strips that are vertically parallel and horizontally perpendicular. While the posts may be fabricated from a plurality of strips fixed together, it is preferred that the posts be made from flat sheets of proper thickness rolled into the desired configuration, or that they be extruded with conventional extruding equipment in the proper cross-sectional configuration. A plurality of apertures in each strip extends along the line of intersection of each .perpendicular strip pair. A sloping ramp in each strip denes the aperture in part and slopes downwardly toward the line of intersection of the particular strip pair. Web means join the support strips.

Each horizontal beam extending between the posts has an abutting surface adapted for planar contact with an obverse surface of one strip of a pair of support strips. One or more dogs on each beam end wedge in an aperture in the other support strip of a pair. The dog or dogs project all the way through the aperture and each has a downwardly extending hook which contacts the reverse surface of the Support strip. Preferably the horizontal beams terminate in a beam end plate that is integral with 3,383,821 Patented May 2l, 1968 the dog or dogs. The abutting surface of the plate is perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the beam. The outward face of the dogs is coplanar with the abutting surface of the plate. Thus, as the dogs enter the aperture and the beam is moved downwardly, the sloping ramp of each aperture tends to wedge the dog and the abutting surface against the surfaces of the adjacent support strips. Theinteraction between the dog and the abutting surface results in a rigid structure since the beam thus holds the vertical posts at each of its ends in spaced relationship and aligns them with respect t-o the extent of the beam because of the planar abutting surface. It is this feature which eliminates the need for diagonal crossbracing.

In a preferred embodiment the vertical post of the framework has a cruciform configuration in transverse section. There are thus four inside corners, each with a row of spaced apertures from which beams may extend in either of two mutually opposed directions. Sheathing walls may be attached to the beams. Wall panels having an abutting surface at each end and a plurality of dogs extending as an extension of the abutting surface alternatively may be combined with the vertical posts. Therefore, the apparatus of the invention affords means for quickly assembling a closed shelter without the use of tools. Shelving or roofing sheets may be laid upon the tops of the horizontal beams, as desired.

The method of the invention contemplates fabricating a vertical post in accordance with the invention as follows: A flat sheet of the desired post height is punched or otherwise pierced so as to have four longitudinal rows of spaced apertures. Adjacent ecah side of each aperture row outside corners extending the length of the sheet are made. Along each of the rows of apertures a bend is made in the material to form an outwardly opening inside corner. The result of this forming is a cruciform post having twelve faces. The apertures along the line of each of the inside corners may receive horizontal beams with their attendant dogs abutting against the face of either of the vertical strips defining the corner.

Vertical posts can by this method be made very economically. Standard fabricating machinery can be utilized for manufacture. As previously mentioned, assembly may be accomplished without tools and beams may be extended from the particular vertical post in either of two directions from each of the four inside corners of the post. Posts with less than four inside corners may also be utilized.

These and other advantages of the invention are apparent in the following detailed description and drawing in which:

FiG. l is a schematic plan view, partly broken away, of a structure utilizing the framework of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, of the structure of FIG. l; i

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan section taken along line 3 3 of FlG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary oblique elevation taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective of a horizontal -beam in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional plan View taken along a line similar to 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a sheet layout illustrating the method of fabrication of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a transverse section of an alternate embodiment of the invention which may be fabricated by extruding; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a further alternate embodiment of the invention wherein the vertical posts have less than four inside corners.

FIGS. 1-'7 illustrate a structure 10, such as might be used for storing materials. The structure comprises a plurality of shelving sheets 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 upon which the materials to be stored can be placed. Uppermost shelf 11 is supported by a pair of parallel horizontal beams 21, 22 and shorter horizontal beams 23, 24 that support the ends of the shelf. Each of the beams is connected to a vertical post. Beam 22 extends between vertical posts 26, 27. Beam 21 extends between posts 28, 29. Beams 23 and 24 extend between posts 26, 28 and 27, 29, respectively. Sheet 11 is diagonally cut at each corner, such as the corner 31, to clear the posts. Sheet 12 is notched at each of its corners 32 in order to accomplish the same purpose.

A vertical wall panel 34 is suspended between posts 26 and 28.

Each of the vertical posts is of cruciform configuration, as may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 7. Post 26 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. The post has a lirst pair of vertically parallel and horizontally perpendicular support strips 41, 42. The post also has second, third and fourth pairs of similar support strips 43, 44 and 45, 46 and 47, 48. The exterior ends of support strips 42 and 43 of the irst and second pairs, respectively, are connected by a web 51. Like members of the other pairs are connected by similar webs 52, 53, 54. FIG. 3 thus illustrates that the preferred post of the invention has twelve vertical surfaces, of which four pairs of support strips dene inside corners 55, 56, 57, 58.

In FIG. 3 an aperture 59 is shown at corner 58. Similar apertures are indicated by dotted lines at the other inside corners. FIG. 4 shows the general configuration of the preferred aperture of the invention. In FIG. 4 aperture 59 is shown athwart the intersection line of inside corner 58 defined by support strips 47, 48. In each strip the aperture is partly defined by a ramp surface 61, 62 which slopes downwardly toward the intersection line. Each aperture terminates in a horizontal bottom wall 64 which extends on either side of the line of intersection. The walls which dene the upper portion of the aperture may slope upwardly, as do the walls 65, 66. The aperture extends through both of the support strips. Preferably each aperture, like aperture 59A, along a corner intersection line is equally spaced from adjacent apertures (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 5 shows fragmentarily a horizontal beam 71 similar to beams 22, 23 of FIG. 3. Beam 71 terminates in an abutting surface 72. A pair of spaced dogs 73, 74 extend outwardly from the beam at its end transversely to the longitudinal extent of the beam. The dogs are hooklike in shape and have outer faces 73A, 74A that preferably are coplanar with abutting surface 72. Similarly, an abutting surface and dogs are located at the opposite end of the horizontal beam (not shown).

While the dogs of the beam of FIG. 5 are shown as an integral part of the beam, they may be a portion of a beam end plate, such as shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6 beam 23 has an end plate 75 having hooklike dogs 76, 77. The dogs extend through adjacent post apertures 59, 59A. The beam comprises a channel member 78 with a web 78A and the end plate 75.

In FIG. 3 beam 23 is shown in finally assembled position wherein the abutting surface 75A of the beam end is bearing against the obverse face of support strip 43. Web 78A of the beam is bearing against the obverse CII surface of strip 44. However, in FIG. 6 the dogs are still riding down ramp 61 of the apertures and the sloping undercut 76A of each dog has not progressed downwardly sutiiciently in its contact with reverse surface 79 of strip 44 to draw the surface of web 78A against the strip 44. However, it is obvious from FIG. 6 that the shapes of the apertures and the dogs will result, with downward motion of the beam, in the surface to surface abutment illustrated in FIG. 3 for beam 23.

Beam 22 is similarly set.

Wall 34 has a plurality of dogs, such as the dog 34A, along each of its vertical edges. The dogs 34A are formed similarly to the dogs 76, 77 of beam 23. When properly related to the apertures 59 of the inside corner 57, the wall panel 34 is securely locked 4with respect to the vertical post. While shown in addition to the beams between posts, a sheathing wall of proper characteristics may also act as a horizontal beam and require no other horizontal beams.

Referring again to FIG. 3, note that the bottom width W of aperture 59 is substantially the same as the width WW of dog 76 of beam 23. Within practical tolerances these widths are the same such that the dogs seat on the bottoms of the apertures when the abutting surfaces of the beams are in proper contact with the support strip surfaces, such as the surfaces of strips 43, 44.

From FIG. 3 it is seen that beams may extend from the rightward faces of the vertical post in perpendicular directions while at the same vertical level. In FIG. 7 a more elaborate arrangement of beams is illustrated with respect to post 27 of FIG. l. Beam 22 is shown extending leftwardly in the view. At the same level a beam 81 extends rightwardly in line with beam 22. Again at the same level beams 24 and 82 extend transversely to beams 22 and 81 from opposite inside corners of the cruciform vertical post. Each of the beams associated with post 27 has end plates and dogs similar to those described with respect to the beams of FIGS. 5 and 6. The dogs and the beams lodge with respect to the support strip pairs as described with respect to the beams and post 26.

A beam 84 extends from the same post support strip pair as does beam 82, but directly beneath beam 82 and in a perpendicular direction. A beam 85 is similarly oriented with respect to beam 81. Beams 84 and 8S provide half of the support for the platform or shelf 13 of FIG. 1. It is therefore obvious that the apparatus of the invention makes possible the extension of a line of shelves perpendicular to the line established by shelves 11 and 12 at the level one beam depth below the shelves 11 and 12. From FIG. 2 it is obvious that any number of shelves intermediate the base of the framework and the top shelves may be applied, depending upon the height of the post, the depth of the beams and the space necessary between shelves to accommodate the materials stored. Obviously the same inventive concept can be applied to structures other than storage bins. Shelters, partition walls, etc. may be similarly fabricated from the framework of the invention. Thin walls may be applied to the beams themselves, as is the wall 91 shown riveted or otherwise secured to beam 85 in FIGS. 1 and 7.

In FIG. 8 a flat sheet 95 of requisite thickness and proper material is shown to illustrate the method of fabricating a vertical post in accordance with the invention. The sheet is laid out so as to be rolled into a vertical post, similar to post 26 shown in FIG. 3, and like portions of the flat sheet have been given like numbers to the post 26. Four vertical rows of apertures 59 are formed or punched in sheet 95. The apertures are aligned along bend lines 55, 56, 57, 58 which are indicated on the flat sheet as thin vertical lines. These lines designate the inside corners of the post. Between each of the aperture rows are two broken lines 96, 97. These lines represent the outside corners which define the connecting webs, such as webs 51, 52, 53, 54 of the post. Outboard of each of the inside corner lines 56, 57 is a dotted line 98. These dotted lines represent the corners of web 52 which, as shown in FIG. 3, is split down its center into segments 52, 52A.

After the apertures 59 are formed in proper alignment in the sheet 95, the sheet is bent (along vertical lines coinciding with the lines shown in the figure. The lines 55, 56, 57, 58 are bent 90 such that they form inside corners about which the support strips of the post are oriented. The broken lines 96, 97, 98 represent the outside corners which are also 90 bends, but in the opposite direction. The fia-t sheet of FIG. 3 can therefore be readily formed into a cruciform configuration post by standard sheet metal rollin-g equipment. Any size or length of post can be made since flat sheets of the necessary thickness and material are available in a wide variety of widths and lengths.

FIG. 9 illustrates a vertical post 101 which may be of any convenient length. The post is shown in horizontal cross-section and comprises a plurality of support strip pairs 102, 103 and 104, 105 and 106, l107 and 108, 109. The support strips of each pair are vertically parallel and horizontally perpendicular, one to the other. Each pair defines an inside corner 111. Adjacent each inside corner at spaced vertical intervals on the post are pairs of horizontally aligned apertures 113, 114. Support strips 102 and 103 are broken away to show the apertures. A sloping ramp 115 defines each aperture in part and slopes downwardly toward the corner 111.

A plurality of webs 118 join the support strip pairs together and in themselves define a hollow square at the center of the post. The webs extend between the pairs at the junction of the pairs.

The pos-t of FIG. 9 may be combined with horizontal beams, such as the beams described in conjunction with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. The post 101 may be ex tended and the apertures incised in the support strips after the extruded lengths lare cut.

FIG. illustrates an alternate framework i-n accordance with the invention in which a plurality of vertical posts, such as vertical posts 121, 122, 123, '124, are oombined with a plurality of beams such as horizontal beams 126, 127, 128, 129. Each of the horizontal beams terminates in an end plate 75 from Awhich dogs 76 similar to the dogs of the embodiment of FIG. 5 extend.

The dogs extend into apertures 59D of the vertical posts, as best seen with respect to pos-t 121. Preferably, the apertures 59D have the configuration of the apertures 59 of the embodiment of FIGS. l-7.

The posts 121, 122 differ from the posts 123, 124. Posts 121 and 122 have pairs of support strips 131, 132 and 134, 135 that define inside corners. A connecting web 137 extends between the support strips 131 and '134 of the two support strip pairs at their outer end. A second web 133 joins the corners of the support strip pairs. The apertures 59D are at the inside corners defined by lthe two support strip pairs. Posts 123, 124 are similar to the posts 121, 122 in all respects except that Ithe posts 123, 124 lack the second joining web 138.

The framework of FIG. l0 is comprised of vertical posts and horizontal joining members and, like the previously described embodiments, needs no diagonal braces because of the surface to surface fit between the support strips land the abutting surfaces of the horizontal beams. Obviously, since the vertical posts of the embodiment of FIG. 10 have only two support strip pairs, the degree of design flexibility found in tne previously described embodiments is not present in the embodiment of FIG. 10. However, by chan-ging the orientation of the posts la rigid framework of a selected design may be fabricated without the use of tools.

The method and apparatus of the invention afford extremely economical framework structures. The advantages of the invention are applicable to frameworks for many different purposes. Economies result from the ease of 6. assembly of the framework and from the method of construction of the vertical posts. Since the number of cornponents is small, the apparatus of the invention has the added advantagey of requiring smaller total inventories and hence takes less room to store.

Other variations within the scope of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, I desire that the scope of the invention be measured by the appended claims, rather than by the purely illustrative embodiments disclosed herein.

I claim:

1. A framework comprising a plurality of vertical posts, each post having a plurality of pairs of vertically parallel and horizontally perpendicular support strips, each pair of strips joining to define an outwardly opening inside corner, a plurality of apertures in each strip spaced along the line of intersection of each perpendicular strip pair, 'a ramp in each strip dening in part the aperture sloping downwardly toward the line of intersection, web means joining the support strips; horizontal members extending between posts, an abutting surface on each member end adapted for planar contact with an obverse surface of one strip of a pair of support strips, and a dog on each member end adapted lto wedge in an aperture in the other support strip of a pair and contact a reverse surface of said strip.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein each post has web means extending between support strips at their peripheral extremities to define therewith a vertical post of hollow cruciform transverse sectional configuration.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the web means of each vertical post comprises a central hollow square from the corners of which the support strip pairs extend outwardly.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the vertical post comprises two pairs of support strips and the web means comprises a web connecting between a strip of each pair.

5. A vertical post for a framework comprising a plurality of narrow vertical support strips joined at their vertical edges to form a symmetrical figure defining eight outer corners and four outwardly opening inner corners, a plurality of vertically spaced apertures in each of the strips forming inner corners, said apertures being defined in part by ramps sloping downwardly toward the intersection line of the corner and extending through the thickness of the narrow strip.

6. A framework comprising a plurality of vertical posts, each post having a plurality of pairs of vertically parallel and horizontally perpendicular support strips of equal horizontal extent, each pair of strips joining to define an outwardly opening inside co-rner, a plurality of apertures in each strip spaced along the inside line of intersection of each perpendicular strip pair, said apertures each having a ramp in each strip sloping downwardly toward the line of intersection, web means joining the suppor-t strips, horizontal beams adapted to extend between posts, a beam end plate at the termination of each beam, an abutting surface on each plate adapted for planar con-tact with ian obverse surface of one Iweb of a pair of support strips, and at least one dog on each plate adapted to enter an aperture in the other support strip of a pair and extend through to contact the reverse surface of said strip and to bias the end plate into contact with fthe strip as the dog moves downwardly on the aperture ramp.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein each post has web means extending between support strips at their peripheral extremities to define therewith a vertical post of cruciform transverse sectional configura-tion.

8. A framework comprising a plurality of vertical posts, each post having a plurality of pairs of vertically parallel and horizontally perpendicular narrow support strips, a plurality of apertures in part in both adjacent strips and spaced along the inside corner line of intersection of each perpendicular strip pair, a ramp defining each vertical aperture Wall and sloping downwardly toward said line of intersection, web means joining the support strips, h-orizontal beams adapted to extend between posts, a beam end plate at the terminations of each beam, an abutting surface on each beam end plate adapted for planar contact with an obverse surface of one strip of a pair of support strips and a dog on each beam end plate adapted to Wedge in an aperture and Contact the reverse surface of the other support strip of said pair.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein each post has web means extending between support strips at their peripheral extremities to define therewith a vertical post of cruciform transverse sectional configuration.

References Citcd UNITED STATES PATENTS Kindel 5-299 Bohnsack 52-585 X Fuller et al 52-481 X Parker 52-648 Lang et al 211-182 Travis 10S-107 Mosinski 211-148 Betcone 52-495 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

DAVID I. WILLIAMOWSKY, Examiner. 15 R. D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiner. 

